Michael Willingham, BMX racing

Michael Willingham is a speedster -- and a unusual one at that.

Still only a freshman at Central High School, Willingham has adopted the fast-paced sport of BMX racing.

"It's basically motocross on a bicycle," he says. "Racing on a dirt track with some pretty high jumps and stuff."

Willingham became involved in biking when he was 10 years old and six years later, at 16, he has made a name for himself around the area.

Willingham has twice competed in the state championships, finishing 10th in 1999 and third this year. Michael has finished third in the regional championship and second in the U.S Open Invitational.

Although he has been racing since he was 10, Willingham hasn't escaped every trial safely.

"I have had one or two concussions," he says. "My mom worries a little when I fall hard, but she's cool about it. She takes me to a whole bunch of competitions."

Willingham is taking the future of his sport day by day, but said he hopes to compete in the Grand Nationals this year in Louisville, Ky.

"It is one of the biggest races. Basically every BMX rider in the nation gets together," he says.

He practices at a friend's house, where a trail has been made with small 5-foot ramps. They're nothing compared to the 20-foot-long and 10-foot-tall ramps he will jump at the Grand Nationals.

Willingham spends his extra time working at Cape Bike, assembling and selling bikes.

"I have been going there since I was little," Willingham says. "I guess I just love bikes."

-- David Unterreiner